Electrified fence installation



Dec. 12, 1944. s A, MOORE 2,364,994

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ELECTRIFIED FENCE INSTALLATION Filed Aug. s, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 x 55.. Suk

awww A EzdnE/y A- Mam-'Q Patented Dec. 12, 1944 ELECTRIFIED FENCE INSTALLATION Sidney A. Moore. Milwaukee. Wis.. assignor to The Prime Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.. a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 3, 1942, Serial No. 453,379

8 Claims.

This invention relatesvto protective electriiied fencing and refers particularly to electric fence installations intended as a. protective measure against trespassing. As distinguished from electric cattle fences, Where a single wire strung above the ground is generally adequate, the fence installation to which this invention pertains has a number of Wires arranged in two circuits insulated from the ground and from each other. If desired, the entire fence may be composed of electrically charged Wires or only a row of such wires may be used at the top of a'woven wire fence.

In any event, this invention contemplates as one of its objects the provision of an electrified fence comprising at least two energized wires insulated from ground and from each other so that a shock will be delivered to a person or an animal standing on ground and touching either wire as well as to a person or animal simultaneously touching both wires.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple manner of energizing two wires or two circuits of an electric fence from a common source of energy.

' Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an electrified fence installation equipped with an alarm system arranged to be set oi by the grounding of any one wire, the short circuiting of the two circuits as by contact between two adjacent strands of the fence, and by the cutting of any one wire of the fence or its feeder.

As in electrified cattle fencing, safety is of vital importance. It is, therefore, another object of this invention to provide means for placing intermittent shock impulses of controlled duration and current and with controlled intervals between the shock impulses on the fence so that anyone contacting it can let go. v

It is another object of this invention to provide an electried fence installation for the purpose set forth which is arranged in sections and wherein separate sectional control panels are provided, which together with a master control can be mounted ata convenient location as for instance, in the guard house of an industrial plant; and wherein the master control panel is equipped with a signal device arranged to be set ofi by the shorting of the circuits of any fence section and/or by the grounding or cutting of any charged wire of any fence section; and wherein a signal device on each sectional panel responsive only to its respective fence section provides an indication of the location of the tampering which set oi the signals.

The further object of this invention is to provide an electrified fence installation of the character described which is so designed and constructed that any. number of fence sections may be grouped in a single installation or others added merely by providing the required number of sectional control panels.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly deiined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one complete example of the physical embodiment ol. the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof'. and in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic illustration of one fence section arranged with the wires thereof forming two circuits;

Figure 2 is a iront plan View of the master panel and two sectional panels, it being under-s stood that there are as many sectional panels as there are sections to the complete fence in stallation, and;

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram oi the master panel and one sectional panel, the circuits of the other sectional panels being identical with that illustrated.

As noted hereinbefore the fence installation is divided into a plurality of fence sections and each section comprises two circuits designated A and B in Figure l,nwhere one fence section is diagrammatically illustrated. The wires of the two circuits A and B alternate. that is, a wire of circuit A is interposed between two adjacent wires of circuit B. The fence wires are; of course, insulated from each other and from the ground.

The entire fence may be made up of the wires of the circuits A and B or, if desired, a row of charged wires may be mounted at the top of an ordinary woven wire fence.

All of the wires of each fence section are charged with high voltage electricity in such a manner that a short circuit between adjacent wires of the two circuits or aground connection from any one wire to the ground, or the cutting of any wire sets oil the alarm.

All of the fence sections are charged from a central source. At the central source, which may be in the guard house of an industrial plant or the like. a panel board consisting of a master panel 5 and as many sectional panels 6 as there are fence sections provides all the control equipment for the fence installation.

From each sectional panel t a feeder line 1 leads for connection with one end of circuit A of its respective fence section and a return line l connected with the other end of the circuit A of the said fence section leads back to the panel. Similar feeder and return leads 9 and I0, respectively, connect the sectional panel l with the circuit B.

The panels are conveniently arranged in juxtaposition and each sectional panel 6 has a card il mounted thereon upon which is designated a plan of the entire fence installation showing the different sections and the gates or breaks between the sections, as well as the main buildings or other land marks by which the location of the different fence sections can be readily ascertained.

In the present instance the fence installation is illustrated as having three sections I, II, HI. The card mounted on the sectional panel for the fence section I has the fence section I predominately illustrated as by a heavy line or a colored line. The card `on the next sectional panel, that is, the one for the fence section II has section 1I of the fence predominately shown, and the last sectional panel.(not shown) bears a card on which section HI is predominately delineated.

Each sectionall panel has signal lights |2a and I2b, the function of which is to indicate whether or not the circuits A and B of the fence section controlled by the panel are being energized. One side of each signal I2a and I 2b is grounded through suitable resistance la and 4b, respectively. Switches lla and i3b control the connection of the sectional panel with the circuits of the fence section supplied by the panel, and while in the present case two switches Ha and two switches I3b are illustrated, a single two pole switch may be substituted for each pair as will be evident.

Each sectional panel also has a signal il mounted thereon, the function of which is to indicate that a short or ground exists on the fence section connected to the panel. As will be hereinafter more fully described, this signal Il is so connected with the fence circuits and is so controlled that a short across the circuits or the grounding of any wire of the fence section lights the signal.

The control for the signal Il incorporates two relays lia and lib mounted on the sectional control panel and provided with manual re-set buttons Ita and IIb, respectively. These relays are adapted to be energized upon current flow in their respective fence circuits caused by a short or ground on the fence.

As noted hereinbeiore, one of the functions of 'the control is to set off .an alarm when a break accesos the primary of which is connected to the power source by a switch 20. To enable the continuity alarm system of any section to be disconnected from the master panel, each sectional control panel has a master alarmv cut-out switch 2| mounted thereon.

Signal lights 22a and 22h mounted on the sectional control panels and controlled by thev relays I1a and |1b provide for indicating a break in the fence circuits. These signal lights remain lit as long as the circuits are closed, but go out when theiry circuits are broken. y

The master control panel hasthe fence charging unit indicated generally by the numeral 2l mounted on the back thereof, the power supply to which is controlled by a double pole switch 2|. Fuses 25 are provided in the power lines leading to switch 24 and a signal light 28 is mounted on the panel to indicate when the switch 2Lis closed.

The charging unit includes a transformer 21 mounted on the panel and, although in the present diagrammatic disclosure thereof in Figure 3, this transformer is illustrated as of the conventional type, it is preferable to employ a safety shock transformer such as illustrated in the reissue Patent No. Re. 22,142, issued to John Vaughan, July 21, 1942.

Another signal light 28 is mounted on the master panel to indicate that the transformer 21 is sending shock impulses to the system.-

The power supply for the entire alarm system enters the master panel through fuses 2l and a double pole switch 30. closure of which is indicated by a continuity signal Il.

The master panel also has a master signal light 32 which lights concomitantly with the functioning of any signal light on any sectional control panel that shows grounding, shorting or a break in the fence or the feeders leading to the fence; and preferably a master alarm bell 33 is arranged to be connected in parallel with the signal light 32 by the closure of a switch ll. Functioning of the signal 32 and the bell Il is under the control of all oi the relayg Ila and Ilb to indicate a break in any fence section ox'` Operation With all the manual switches closed on all of the panels as shown in Figure 3, the charging unit 23 is operative.

This charging unit is of the well known interrupter type including an electromagnetically actuated circuit breaker l! which intermittently opens and closes the primary circuit ot the transformer 21. A radio interference eliminator indicated generally by the numeral 40 is also preferably incorporated in the charging unit.

With periodic energization of the primary of the transformer 21 its two secondary sections supply voltage to all of the fence sections to intermittently charge each circuit of each fence section independently of the other. To this end, the midpoint of the secondary of the transformer 21 is grounded through the switch 38 and main shock circuits extend across all of the sectional control panels as high tension lines 4| and 42 which lead from the opposite ends of the secondary.

The solenoids of the relays 35a and 35h are connected in series in the leads 4| and 42, respectively, so that current ow therein as a result of the. shorting or grounding of any fence section connected 'thereto energizes these relays to trip the same and close their switches which. as clearly shown in Figure 3, sets the signal light 32 and the alarm bell 33 in operation.

Depression of the re-set buttons 36a and 36h of the relays relatches their switches open, providing that the condition on the fence which caused energization of their respective relays has been corrected. l

At eachsectional control panel, all of which are alike, the high tension line 4I is connected to circuit A of the fence section controlled by the panel upon the closure of the switches I 3a. The signal light I2a then flashes in harmony with the intermittent flashing of the signal light 2B on the master control panel to 4indicate that circuit A of the fence section so connected is receiving voltage.

The high tension shock lead 42 is connected to the circuit B upon the closure of the switches I3b in the same manner as described so that its associated shock signal l2b also iiashes to show that circuit Bris receiving voltage.

The solenoids of the relays I5a and l5b are in series with lthe connection from the leads 4| and 42 to the circuits A and B and are energized concomitantly with energization of the relays 35a and 35h. The switches of the relays l5a and 85h are normally open and upon closure as a result of energization of the relays, cause the signal light I4 to light up.

As in all of the relays, depression of the buttons Ia and 06h can latch the switches open only in the event the short or ground on the fence which initiated the energization of the relays has been corrected.

Upon the occurrence oi a break in either circuit of any fence section, such as might be brought about by the cutting of the fence wires by someone insulated from the ground, or using insulated pliers, signal Meer 22h on the respective sectional panel, depending upon which cir cuit has been broken, goes out and the master signals 32 and t3 become operative. This results from the fact that the switches of the relays l'i'a and ilb which are double throw switches are held in one position as long as the solenoid-s of their relays remain energized, but change position when their relays are deenergized. The solen noids of these relays are in series with the circuits A and B and the secondary sections of the power transformer I9. Hence, if a break occurs in circuit A, for instance, relay lla would become deenergized, tripping its latch and allowing its switch to assume the position opposite from that illustrated. With this change in the position of the switch the circuit for the signal light 22a. would be opened and the light would go out and in assuming this opposite position, the switch of the relay I'la would close the circuit ior the master alarm signals 32 and 33.

Inasmuch as the actual circuit connections for accomplishing this function can be readily traced on figure, detailed description thereof is unnecessary.

If it is desired to disconnect the master alarm from the continuity alarm system of any fence section, the master alarm cut-out switch 2| is opened; and for testing the leakage on any circuit of any fence section, only the selected circuit is connected with its respective high tension u shock lead 4I or 42 and all other circuits are disconnected by the opening of the switches i3d and l3b. J

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will ybe readily apparent to those skilled in this art that this invention provides a protective electried fence installation which is not only ex ceptionally effective, but extremely flexible in its adaptation. Any number of fence sections can be supplied merely by adding sectional control panels and connecting them with the'master panel, and in operation any4 sectional panel can be cut off entirely from the system so that repairs can be made on the section supplied thereby without necessitating disconnection of the rest of the fence. It will also be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that the fence system of this invention is extremely difiicult to defeat.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an electriiied fence installation: a bare wire strung as a fence barrier but insulated from ground and constitutingpart of a closed loop; means for charging the Wire with highvoltage electricity; a signal for indicating grounding of and/or a break in the loop including the fence wire; a series relay operable to control the signal included in the connection between the charging means and the fence wire for setting the signal in operation inthe event of grounding-of the fence Wire; a second series relay operable to control the signal and connected in series with the loop including the fence wire to render the signal operative in the event of a break in said loop; and current supply means connected in series in said loop for energizing said second series relay as long as the loop is unbroken.

2. In an electried fence installation: a fence Wire strung as a barrier but insulated from ground; means for energizing the fence wire; a power transformer entirely independent of the fence energizing means, said power transformer having its primary continuously connected with a source of current; a series relay having its solenoid connected in series with the fence wire and a section of the secondary of the transformer, said secondary section, the solenoid and the fence wire being so connected as to form a closed circuit so that the voltage of the secondary section is impressed on the solenoid and current ows therein as long as said closed fence wire circuit remains unbroken; an alarm signal; and a switch for controlling the alarm signal governed bythe series relay to render the signal operative in the event the continuity of said fence wire circuit is broken and the solenoid becomes deenergized.

3. In an electried'fence installation: a hare wire strung as a barrier but insulated from ground; means for energizing the'wire; a control panel with which both ends of the wire are connected; a power transformer on the panel and independent of the means for energizing the wire, the primary of said power transformer being connected with a source of power and. a secondary section thereof being connected in series with the Wire; a series relay on the panel having its solenoid connected in series with the wire, the transformer secondary section, the solenoid and the Wire forming a closed circuit so that the solenoid is energized by the voltage output of the secondary section as long asthe continuity of the Wire remains unbroken; a signal on .the panel for indicating a break in the wire; a second signal removed from the panel for likewise indieating a break in the wire; and switch means for controlling connection of both signals with their source of power, said switch means being operable "by the relay to render both signals effective to indicate a break in continuity upon occurrence of such break causing deenergization of the relay solenoid.

4. In an electrified fence installation: a fence section; a control unit for the fence installation comprising a section panel; signal control instrumentalities on the section panel; means for connecting the fence section with the section.

panel, with the fence section and the signal control instrumentalities forming a closed circuit; a tence continuity signal on the section panel; a grounding signal on the section panel; a master signal; master signal control instrumentalities; a charging unit; means for connecting the output of the charging unit with the section panel for connection thereat with the fence section; the master signal control instrumentalities and the signal control instrumentalities on the sec.. tion panel for controlling the grounding signal being incorporated in the connection between the output of the charging unit and the fence section and being operable upon grounding of the fence section to set the master signal and also the grounding signal on the section panel in operation; and the control instrumentalities on the section panel for controlling the continuity signal being operable upon a break in the fence section to render the master signal and the continuity signal effective to show such break.

5. In an electrified fence installation having a plurality of separate fence sections: a control board comprising a master panel and section panels equal in number to the number of fence sections; a master signal on the master panel; a short and ground indicating signal on each section panel; a continuity signal on each section panel; and signal control instrumentalities operable to concomitantly render the master signal and any one of the signals on any section panel operative.

6. In an electrified fence installation, the combination of: a fence section; a charging unit for supplying high tension voltage for the fence installation; a section panel for the fence section with which the ends of the fence section are connected; means on the section panel for connecting the fence section with the output of the charging unit; a continuity signal on the section panel for indicating a break in the continuity of the fence section; and signal controlling means on the section panel for controlling the continuity signal thereon, said controlling means including an operating solenoid and means for energizing the solenoid, said last named means being in series with the fence section and requiring uninterrupted continuity of the fence section for operativeness so that a break in the fence section renders the signal eective to indicate such break.

'1. In an electriiled fence installation the combination of: two electrically insulated fence circuits each consisting of at least lone bare wire strung as a fence barrier lbut insulated from the ground; means for electrically charging the wires of the fence circuits so that a shock may be had from circuit to circuit and from either circuit to ground, such shock being accompanied by current flow in both circuits if the shock is the result of electrically bridging the circuits and in one circuit if the shock is the result of grounding a circuit; an electrically operated signal for indicating a short circuit bridging the fence circuits and the grounding of any wire of the fence; two series relays for controlling the signal, one connected in series with each fence circuit so that current flow in either circuit as a result of a ground connection thereon actuates one of the relays to set the signal in operation while a short across the fence circuits actuates vboth relays to set the signal in operation, the condition of the relays affording an indication of whether the signal operation was occasioned by a ground or a. short and if a ground, which of the two circuits is grounded.

8. In an electrified fence installation the combination of a fence comprising two circuits having bare wires or sets of -bare wires insulated from each other and from ground; means for charging the fence with high voltage electricity including separate shock circuits leading to the two circuits of the fence; an electrically operated signal device for indicating a short either across the two circuits of the fence or from any wire to ground; an electrically operated master signal; a pair of series relays connected with the signal device of the fence, each relay being connected in series with one circuit of the fence and operable upon a short on its circuit to render the signal device operative; and a pair of series relays connected with the master signal and in series with the shock circuits leading to the fence so that any short on the fence sets the master signalin operation.

SIDNEY A. MOORE. 

